The Story Behind this Blog

Being from the South, Silver is a very big part of my life. It doesn't have anything to do with wealth. Although those with more money - old money, tend to have more of it. New money tend not to spend their money on Silver. They do not have the appreciation for the warmth of the metal, the beauty of the patina, the story it tells of the generations past who have used it. A true southern girl comes of age when she chooses her silver pattern, long before she chooses her mate. If she is smart, she chooses that of her mother, grandmother, or favorite great aunt who in their benevolence will pass their silver on to her. It is the pieces in those sets, the pieces on our tables, along with the pieces we find in the corners of the displays in antique stores that prompted me to start this blog. They are beautiful, they are odd, but what are they, and what in the hell do you do with them?

Monday, August 5, 2013

Renaissance by Tiffany

Another pattern by Paulding Farnham, Tiffany introduced Renaissance in 1905.This was Farnham's most detailed and ornate pattern. In the terminal of each piece is an armless female figure in high relief mounted on a pedestal. The pedestal of each is decorated with cascading flowers or fruits and vegetables.

In the entire pattern there are five different motifs. While in most of the pieces, flowers, fruits, and vegetables are used in the design. The design continues a intricate incorporation of flora and fauna in different pieces. For example, the fish eating knife and olive fork have sea shells, seaweed, and a fish in the design. The Meat carving knife and fork have a boar's head in the design with the flowers.The dinner knife has ram's head in with the floral design. The Game carving knife and fork feature a deer's head with antlers in the design.